Meter-box lid and lock therefor



Feb. 1,1927. 1,616,298

c. c. ARNETT METER BOX LID AND LOCK THEREFOR Original Filed Aug. 14, 1925 1111 III I'llh anmml oz GALvmGA NEzrT- Patented Feb. 1, 1927.

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CALVIN C. ARNETT, OF GAINESVILLE, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-I-IALF TO H. L.

COLLINS, OF FORT W'OR'JII-I, TEXAS.

METER-30 LID AND LUCK THEREFOR.

Application filed August 14, 1925, Serial No. 50,341. Renewed December 1, 1925.

My invention relates to meter box lids and more particularly to meter box lids provided with locking devices which are completely concealed on the under side of the lid; and the object is to provide meter box lids with locking devices which will be positive in action and which will hold the lid securely in place and will prevent unauthorized parties from tampering with the meters in the meter boxes. One of the advantages of the improved locking devices is that there is no spring connected with the locking devices and nothing else that will be easily displaced in operation; and another advantage is that unauthorized parties will not have access to the locking devices, the locking devices being wholly concealed and out of reach of anything except the authorized keys for unlocking the meter box lids. Other objects and advantages will be fully explained in the following description and the invention will be more particularly pointed out in the claims.

Reference is had to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this application.

Fig. 1 is an inverted view of a meter boX lid showing the locking devices in locked position. Fig. 2 is an inverted view of the lid without the locking devices mounted thereon. Fig. 8 is the section taken substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 1. Fig. l is a diametrical section taken on the line 4 e of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of one of the sides of the locking device.

Similar characters of reference are used to indicate the same parts throughout the several views.

In the drawings, a meter box top 1 is shown and a removable lid or cover 2 is shown. The top 1 is adapted for use in most standard equipment for meter receptacles. This cover has an annular interior flange 3 on which the lid or cover 2 rests. The top 1 has downwardly projecting lugs a for fitting on meter boxes. The lid 2 has a central opening 5 for a key 6. Curved guides 7 and 7 are formed on the underside of the lid for the key.

The locking devices are included in a quadrangular frame which has longitudinal bars 8 and connecting end members 9 pivotally connected to the longitudinal members 8 at the corners of the quadrangle. Bosses 10 are formed on the bottom of the lid 2 and the end members 9 are mounted on the bosses lOand held thereon by nuts 11.. Each end member 9 has, an extension 111 12. which constitutes the lockingv devices for holding the lid 2 on the annular cover or ring 1. The longitudinal bars 8 have lugs 13 to be engaged by the key 6 for locking and unlocking the quadrangular frame from the annular ring 1. The locking frame when in the locked position forms a parallelogram. When the locking frame is in the unlocked position it is simply a rectangular frame. Stop lugs 14 are formed on the lid 2 to limit the movements of the longitudinal frame members 8 and to prevent displacement of The only movement of the these members. frame members 8 will be parallel to the underside of the lid 2. When the key is inserted, the locking frame is in the locked position. When the key is turned the wings of the key will engage the lugs 13 for drawing the locking frame to rectangular form and this will draw the locking lugs 12 from under the. annular flange 3. The lid 2 can then be lifted out for inspection of the meter. When the lid is replaced on the flange 3 the key 6 will be turned to throw the lugs 12 back under the flange 3 for locking the lid.

'The key cannot be withdrawn from the keyhole until the locking devices are thrown in locked position.

In order that there may be no binding of the pivotal connections, the pivot studs 15, on the bars 8 and on which the end members 9 turn, are cone-shaped and the bosses 10 on which the end members are pivotally mounted are cone-shaped.

What I claim, is,

1. In a meter box provided with an annular rim having an annular flange; a lid for said box supported on said flange and provided with downwardly projecting lugs, a quadrangular frame pivotally supported on said lugs on opposite sides of said frame and provided with lugs on diagonally opposite corners projectabl-e under said flange for locking the lid on said rim and means for actuating said frame.

2. In a meter box provided with an annular rim having an annular flange; a lid for said box supported on said flange and provided with downwardly projecting coneshaped lugs, a quadrangular frame pivotally supported on said lugs on opposite sides of said frame and providedwith lugs on diagonally opposite corners projectable under said flange for locking said lid on said frame, and a key for actuating said frame.

3. In a meter box provided with an annular rim having an annular flange; a lid for said box supported on said flange and provided with downwardly projecting coneshaped lugs, a quadrangular frame pivotally supported on said lugs, the parts of said frame being pivotally connected together at its corners, and said frame having laterally projecting lugs on its corners adapted to project under said rim and a key for actuating said frame.

4. 1n meter box provided with an annular'rim having an annular flange; a lid for said box supported on said flange and provided with downwardly projecting coneshaped lugs, a quadrangular frame pivotallysupported on said lugs and whose parts are pivotally connected at its corners, the end members having lugs adapted to project under said rim for locking purposes and the sidegmembers having laterally projecting lugs on each side thereof, a key for actuating said frame adapted to engage the inwardly projecting lugs of said frame, and lugs depending from said side frame members adapted to engage the outwardly projecting lugs of said frame to prevent displacement thereof.

In testimony whereof, I set my hand, this 24th day of July, 1925.

CALVIN C. ARNETT. 

